Chhetrapal or Regional Deities in British Garhwal

British Administration in Garhwal   -183

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History of British Rule/Administration over Kumaun and Garhwal (1815-1947) -203

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            History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -1036

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                              By: Bhishma Kukreti (History Student)

   One or more regional deities-goddesses occupy a hill top. People used to pay tributes to different Bhairavs on steep hill. where there used to be plat in between to hills (Khal) , there used to be a Yaksha/Jakhani or Ghandyal, Ghantakarn or other Khas deity or goddess as in Jaspur or nearby (Malla Dhangu , Pauri Garhwal), there are places as Ganika, Jaikhal, Jakhnai, Gudgudyar, Mithal, Bhatind , Khaddivta etc  whre a deity is worshipped. Ghantakarn deity is to protect domestic animals. The faith was that Sidhwa Bidwa dieties used to inform about lost animals. Travellers also used /use tribute of such deity temple by offering wild flowers or plant leaves. the temple of such very local deity used to be one stone on two stones and there might be  round stone as local deity.

   There used to be local village deity and goddess as Bhumya, Mithal, Siddhwa, Biddwa, Mahasu, Bhairav etc. Those local deities had sixty four Jagniyan and fifty two Veer etc. villagers used to pay tribute to village deity by Ghadela rituals or by Rot (Thick wheat bread cooked in Ghee). Each family had one or more Kuldevta/kuldevi too. Usually the place for village deity used to be on a hill top called Than. There used to be an iron lamp, nag and a couple of images at Than. People had strong faith that those deities protect them from all difficulties.

  

     

    

References  

1-Shiv Prasad Dabral ‘Charan’, Uttarakhand ka Itihas, Part -7 Garhwal par British -Shasan, part -1, page- 343-456

2- Atkinson, Himalayan Districts Vol.3

 3- Asiatic Researches Vo.l 6

4- Pannalal , Customary law in Kumaon page 6 to 8

5- Joshi Khas Family law

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Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India,bjkukreti@gmail.com 25/9/2017 History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -1037

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*** History of British Rule/Administration over British Garhwal (Pauri, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli1815-1947) to be continued in next chapter

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(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)

 History of British Garhwal, History of Devalgarh Garhwal; History of Badhan Garhwal; History of Barasyun Garhwal; History of Chandpur Garhwal; History of Chaundkot Garhwal; History of  Gangasalan Garhwal;  History of Mallasalan Garhwal;  History ofTallasaln Garhwal; History of Dashauli Garhwal; History of Nagpur Garhwal; Sociity  in British Garhwal. History of British Garhwal, History of Social Structure and Religious Faith in Chamoli Garhwal, History of Social Structure and Religious Faith of Pauri Garhwal ,  Social and Culture History of Rudraprayag Garhwal